Here’s How to Wear the Summer Smokey Eye in 3 Steps

Summer calls for light makeup, healthy skin (thanks to a crazy Korean skincare routine, perhaps?) and embracing the glow that goes hand-in-hand with warm weather. While we typically see vampy lips and more moody makeup hues in the winter, we’re all about neutrals, shimmery golds and orange-y coppers during these hot months. While you should be mindful of shine and shimmer this time of year (sweat can compete with it — gross!), this simple technique proves that just the right amount of metallic-y sheen can complete a golden, smokey summer look like *that*.

I’m using eyeshadow colors from the Urban Decay NAKED Palette ($54) — this palette is a one-stop-shop for the golden smokey eye, people. You can cop the whole palette to save some bucks or buy the shadows individually, FYI.

STEP 1: CREATE A SHIMMERY BASE

Start by patting on Urban Decay Eyeshadow ($19) in Half Baked onto the lid of your eye, bringing the color up to the crease. Using a patting motion will help reduce eyeshadow pigment falling to your under-eye area. This gold, brightening eyeshadow is a beautiful color to start off any look — it really opens up your peepers but is still a neutral color.

STEP 2: ADD DEPTH IN THE CREASE

Apply a dusting of a darker color like Urban Decay Eyeshadow ($19) in Smog to the crease of your eye, blending the color in until you achieve a bit of definition. A darker color in the crease provides a nice contrast with the brightening color on the lid for a really pretty effect that is still natural looking.

STEP 3: TOP IT OFF WITH A HIGHLIGHT

Complete this look by applying Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Virgin ($19) to your brow bone and inner corner of the eye. This light, Champagne-y color reflects light and gives your golden smokey eye a beautiful finishing touch. Don’t use too much of this color, though, because the more you build it on, the whiter it appears. You want to avoid the white hue and instead stick to the sheer wash of shimmer you’ll get with a subtle sweep of the Virgin eyeshadow.

Finish the rest of your makeup (for me, that usually means filling in my brows and adding some bronzer, blush, mascara and lipstick), and you’re an instant summer siren ;)